CLEARWATER, Fla. — Yuniesky Betancourt played well this spring — better than his recent big-league history has shown and well enough to convince a lot of big-league teams he can be an asset.

However, no matter how well the veteran infielder played, in order to be on the Phillies’ opening-day roster, he either needed someone to get hurt, or for one of the two established utility infielders to falter badly.

Kevin Frandsen and Freddy Galvis did not allow that to happen.

After the Phillies’ 7-6 loss to the Red Sox Sunday, Betancourt got the contract-mandated answer he needed as to whether he would be on the Phillies’ 25-man roster April 1. And that answer was no, even though he batted a sizzling .447 (21-for-47) with 14 RBI and showed flashes of brilliance with his glove at shortstop.

Advertisement

However, neither Frandsen (.275, two HRs) nor Galvis (.281, .547 slugging pct.) did anything to second-guess what the Phillies saw from them in 2012. Frandsen is a tough two-strike hitter (an asset for a pinch-hitter) and Galvis is a sterling fielder anywhere he’s placed, with extra-base pop in his developing bat.

“Betancourt has been a regular player for much of his career,” Charlie Manuel said. “He hasn’t pinch-hit much at all, and Frandsen last year when he got to play ... his 200 at-bats in the big leagues, he put together real good at-bats. He showed he can hit. What he did definitely plays into it, then he comes into spring training and from Day 1 he keeps his bat going. We need guys to pinch-hit and be part-time players.”

According to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., he was getting trade overtures for Betancourt as late as Sunday morning, but the return value wasn’t of interest. Betancourt’s contract with the Phils would have paid him a $900,000 base salary in the majors, with incentives that could push it past $1 million. Odds are he will get at least seven figures on the open market; the Yankees, Cardinals and Dodgers all are scrambling for middle-infield help.

“This was the evaluation, right or wrong, of what we thought was best for our club,” Amaro said. “Better to have this decision — too many players — than not having enough.”

Despite the release, Betancourt was gracious and aware that other contenders had better opportunities available to him.

“It’s a numbers game. I understand it, and I appreciate the fact that the organization gave me a shot to prove myself at the major-league level,” the 31-year-old Cuban said. “I think I did a good enough job to get on with another club, but I’d like to reinforce the fact that I’m appreciative of the Phillies for giving me a chance.”

Although Galvis is a Manuel favorite, Amaro said he remains on the prowl for a position player as teams pare their rosters in the final days of spring training.

Manuel insists his reserve infielders will see playing time, even if Jimmy Rollins played 158 games at shortstop last season, Chase Utley played in all but two games after the All-Star break and Michael Young has played fewer than 156 games just once in the last 11 seasons.

“I thought that was a lot of baseball for (Rollins in 2012),” Manuel said. “Maybe you don’t have to rest him a whole lot, but you do have to get him off his feet some. Utley isn’t going to play 162 games, and it would be tough for Ryan Howard and Michael Young to play 162 games. Hopefully we can play good enough baseball where we rest people in our infield.”